On this episode Simon K speaks to Matt Thornton.Matt Thornton is a martial arts pioneer, renowned instructor, and founder of Straight Blast Gym International (SBGi), an organization that has revolutionized the approach to functional martial arts training. With a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, and wrestling, he has coached top-level athletes such as UFC hall of famers Randy Couture and Dan Henderson, as well as John Kavanagh, the coach who trained UFC superstar Conor McGregor.Thornton is also a prolific writer and author of the book "The Gift of Violence," which delves into the philosophy and practice of martial arts and self-defense. In addition to his work as an instructor and author, Thornton is a sought-after speaker, with a focus on the importance of honesty, discipline, and critical thinking in martial arts and in life.In their conversation, Simon and Matt covered a wide range of martial arts-related topics, including:

• Violence on US streets and its impact on society

• Statistics on fatherless children and the effect it has on their lives

• Choosing our words carefully in a politically correct world

• Matt's early martial arts experiences and how he discovered his style

• The differences between functional and exciting martial arts

• Contact sports and the physical demands they require

• The role of martial arts in the military

• The philosophy of Jeet-Kun-do and its impact on modern martial arts

• The differences between BJJ and Japanese Ju-jitsu

• What goes into making a professional MMA fighter

• Criticisms of the Aliveness concept

• The effectiveness of Krav Maga as a self-defense system

• The importance of cultivating a calm and focused mind in martial arts

• The European standard of BJJ and its influence on the art

• The lineage of Gracie BJJ and its impact on modern martial arts

Connect with Matt Thornton on his social handles:

Webpage: straightblastgym.com

Youtube: youtube.com/user/sbgglobal

Twitter: twitter.com/sbgint

Facebook: facebook.com/straightblastgym

Instagram: instagram.com/sbginternational

Collective Whisper website: https://www.collectivewhisperpodcast.com

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